Browse archives: 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995

Published on 10/26/1998 All articles from this issue

Officials say winter rain and staff shortages affecting Los Altos Hills capital budget

printer friendly version

By Carol Tiegs

Special to the Town Crier

The Los Altos Hills Town Council unanimously approved a 1998-99 capital improvement budget appropriation request of $1.54 million on Oct. 21. The money is part of an estimated $2.4 million capital improvement program also improved by the council, resulting in the highest level of capital improvement spending in the town this decade.

In addition to the approved appropriation, approximately $975,000 is available from the 1998-99 general fund operating budget, according to a report presented by Finance Director Carol Ferrell. The remaining $500,000 will be drawn from the general fund's capital improvements reserve.

"Although this draw is higher than the annual funding requirement anticipated from the reserve, no draw-down was required for the 1997-98 capital budget, leaving adequate funding for future capital projects intact," said Ferrell's report.

City Manager Jeff Peterson told council members that a series of unexpected problems contributed to the unusually high budget. The harsh winter weather and rains "required several landslide projects to be established outside the scope of planned pavement projects," he said. Also, the Tracy Court bridge has proven more costly to repair than originally anticipated. Peterson said the wooden bridge will need to be completely replaced.

Total capital spending for fiscal year 1998 was $970,000. The highest previous spending on capital projects was $1.4 million in fiscal year 1997. That including $1.1 million spent on street maintenance and repairs. The budget for fiscal year 1999 estimates expenses of $1.8 million for street work.

According to Ferrell, "Work caused from the winter storms currently occupies construction contractors in the Bay Area, so that contracts for infrastructure repair are now less competitively bid."

The budget includes $76,500 for work on pathways, primarily the pathway running along Fremont Road. Councilwoman Toni Casey expressed concern about the adequacy of the amount "for something everyone agrees is one of our most coveted assets." Both Casey and Councilman Sid Hubbard expressed a desire to see more money from the general fund dedicated to pathway maintenance.

Peterson said that staff shortages, particularly the resignation of assistant engineer Sheryl Proft, would mean "staff will face a particular challenge in bringing current year capital projects to completion."

Proft will work as a consultant until her replacement can be hired and trained.

While consultants could be used, Peterson said, "Staff time is a very real constraint. Consultants need to managed too."

The capital budget year begins on Oct. 1 and ends on Sept. 30.